Fun for the Whole Family! 11 Recommended Sendai Sightseeing Spots for Parent-Child Trips

The only theme park in Tohoku themed around the hugely popular children’s character “Go! Anpanman.”
It is a 9-minute walk from Sendai Station, and because it is indoors, you can enjoy it with peace of mind even on rainy days.
In the museum area, the world of “Go! Anpanman” is recreated, letting visitors experience the Anpanman world while playing.

Yagiyama Zoological Park Fujisaki no Mori is one of the largest zoos in Tohoku, housing Approx. 600 animals from 115 species, including endangered species.
Located near Aobayama, where the Sendai Castle ruins are found, it is easy to access at 12 minutes by subway from Sendai Station and right by Yagiyama Zoological Park Station. Loved by both locals and tourists, it offers the chance to observe a wide variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Among its highlights are the “African Garden,” designed to recreate the savanna, and the “Beast House,” where you can observe rare Sumatran tigers and polar bears up close.

One of the largest aquariums in Tohoku, located near Sendai Port. It opened in 2015 as “an aquarium symbolizing reconstruction.”
It features a wide range of exhibits, from marine life off the Sanriku coast to creatures from around the world. Just past the entrance is “Sparkling Sea of Life,” a giant tank 14 meters wide and 7.5 meters high that extends up to the second floor. Designed to evoke the sea of Sanriku, it is home to Approx. 30,000 creatures from 50 species swimming gracefully.

A science museum located in Dainohara Forest Park in Sendai City. Through participatory and hands-on exhibits, visitors can learn about science while having fun.
In April 2024, the permanent exhibition room on the 4th floor reopened after renovation, and the museum is now made up of three areas: “Exploring Science,” “Nature of Miyagi and Sendai,” and “Life Exhibits.”
In the “Nature of Miyagi and Sendai” area, visitors can understand how the natural world works through exhibits such as “Memories of the Earth,” which introduces creatures that once lived in Miyagi and Sendai through powerful skeleton specimens and reconstructed specimens, and “Gateway to Nature,” which recreates the mountains, hills, and coastal areas of Miyagi in realistic dioramas.

A small amusement park located behind the left-field side of Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi, the home stadium of the professional baseball team Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
With many attractions and a lawn plaza, it attracts many visitors, especially families.
Its symbol is a Ferris wheel, the only one in Japan from which you can look down over the entire stadium. The 16 gondolas are wrapped with players and team mascots, adding to the excitement even before you get on.

Sendai Castle was built by order of Date Masamune. Commonly known as “Aoba Castle,” it remained the center of domain government for 270 years.
Today, the area has been developed as a park, where visitors can see the stone walls, the reconstructed side turret of the Otemon Gate, and the earthen wall on the north side of the Otemon Gate.
Inside the park stands the equestrian statue of Date Masamune, one of Sendai’s best-known symbols, and it is illuminated at night.

Selected in 1989 as one of Japan’s 100 best urban parks, Tsutsujigaoka Park is known as one of Sendai’s representative city parks.
The park covers 11.2 hectares, about the size of Approx. 2.4 Tokyo Domes.
In addition to cherry blossoms, plants such as plum blossoms, camellias, wisteria, and bush clover are planted here, letting visitors enjoy seasonal scenery throughout the year.
It has also become popular, especially in summer, as a place where visitors can feel cool thanks to the sculptural fountain “Mori no Uta.”

An aquarium located on the 2nd floor of Nishikigaoka Hillside Mall, a complex facility on a hill on the western side of Sendai City.
The aquarium is divided into three sections, the Fantasy Zone, Jungle Zone, and Reptile Zone, where visitors can enjoy a variety of creatures including tropical fish, large invasive fish, reptiles, and small animals.
The beautifully displayed tanks are another attraction, and the lighting creates a mysterious atmosphere.
There is also a cafe restaurant called “Aqua Cafe,” where you can enjoy a meal while viewing the fantastical tanks up close.
Popular menu items include unique and eye-catching sweets such as the “Garden Eel Parfait” and “Goldfish Bowl Shaved Ice.”

Kansei no Mori is located in Nishikigaoka Hillside Mall, a large commercial complex with a wide range of facilities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
It is an indoor creative play space wrapped in the warmth of wood, created to help children who have grown distant from nature develop rich sensitivity.
The facility is divided into three zones, each with distinctive play equipment.
There are spaces such as the “Lake Zone” and “Forest Zone,” where children can move their bodies using wooden play equipment, and the “Baby Zone,” which is filled with educational toys for small children, allowing visitors to enjoy the space using all five senses.
Because it is an indoor facility, it is also a great place where children can play safely without worrying about the weather.

Located next to a factory, Kanezaki Sohonten Sasakama-kan is an amusement facility with sales booths and a restaurant.
Hands-on experiences making sasakama and fried kamaboko are popular (reservation required). The experience starts from the step of kneading the fish paste ingredients.
The staff provide careful instruction, so children can enjoy it with peace of mind as well (for elementary school students and older).

Sendai City Wildflower Garden is Approx. 20 minutes from Sendai Station by bus.
Its vast grounds are home to Approx. 1,100 species of wild plants from the Tohoku region.
Within the garden are areas such as an alpine plant section, hydrangea section, and Acorn Hill, where visitors can enjoy a wide variety of plants in each area.
At the lawn plaza and sculpture plaza, you can also enjoy picnics and art appreciation.
It is an ideal spot for strolling while enjoying nature through the seasons.

A highly convenient hotel directly connected to JR Sendai Station, the gateway to Tohoku, making it great for both sightseeing and business.
With the concept “Tohoku Rokkan SENSE OF TOHOKU,” it welcomes guests with facilities and services designed to convey anticipation, a sense of local character, heartfelt hospitality, a feeling of the extraordinary, peace of mind, and a sense of discovery.
Its 282 guest rooms come in nine types, from single, double, and twin rooms to suites.
Some rooms, including Superior Twin rooms, have bathrooms with a washing area where you can bathe together with your child.
It is also a nice bonus that amenities for small children are well provided.

A resort hotel with a striking appearance reminiscent of a manor house in old Europe.
Although it is located Approx. 30 minutes by car from Sendai Station, the spacious English-style garden surrounding the hotel creates an elegant, extraordinary atmosphere.
There are also plenty of activities to enjoy in the garden, such as morning yoga and stargazing.
The lobby lounge, where you can enjoy afternoon tea, is popular, as are plans that include options such as a beer garden and charcoal-grilled BBQ in summer.
With spacious family rooms, as well as diaper-changing areas and nursing rooms, it is a reassuring choice even for families with small children.

Richmond Hotel Premier Sendai Ekimae is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from JR Sendai Station.
With facilities such as free Wi-Fi, air purifiers with humidifying functions in all rooms, and mobile phone chargers compatible with various devices, it offers conveniences that are welcome not only for business travelers but also for tourists.
The guest rooms, made up in the duvet style in which the entire bed is wrapped in sheets, have a simple and clean design that helps guests enjoy a comfortable sleep and a pleasant morning.
Room types are available for 1 to 3 guests, and a wide range of amenities is provided.
Of course, amenities for children are also well stocked.